VIDEO: Singing at Ground Zero Sunday night

Sorry for the poor quality. Used my iphone4 in the moving crowd.

Ground zero the center of NYC celebrations

People crowded in the streets near ground zero in the early morning hours after President Obama confirmed the death of terrorist Osama bin Laden.

After a long and busy weekend, the news of Osama bin Laden's death swarmed around NYC as we all tuned in to hear the words of President Obama. The press conference did not occur until midnight approached. 


More than nine years later, the United States has brought bin Laden to justice for his heinous crimes against the thousands of Americans who were innocently slaughtered in the attacks of 9/11. 


My trip to ground zero last night was a long and memorable one. Arriving after 12:30 a.m. the streets surrounding the memorial were swelling with people, flags and news agencies. The crowds chanted "U.S.A.," "Osama, hey hey hey, goodbye" and lines from the "Star Spangled Banner." 


Men climbed up the traffic light poles and anything that could give them a view of the patriotic scene. President Obama spoke of another uniting of the American people and this congregation after his announcement was just that: a uniting of New Yorkers supporting the truths and principles this nation was founded upon: justice and freedom, and remembering their friends and family who had fallen. 


While the scene seemed to be unruly at times and barring on disrespectful (chants of "F#$% Osama") it was overall a grand gesture of America's feelings: joy, pride, relief and some fear.
American flags are selling out all over the city. 


Today, the NYPD has upped their security in every part of the city: Grand Central, Times Square, ground zero, the subway system and airports. The thought did cross our minds as we rushed to ground zero last night: will there be rogue retaliation for bin Laden's death? Will we be able to prevent it? 


Every news agency is covering this frantically. Fox New's big bumble last night was comical. (Their website banner completely misspelled Osama bin Laden's name and every other word in their headline.) The New York Daily News did not let this opportunity pass them by (they never do). Their headline is being called the most flashy/forward in the world. Check out this link to see the cover.


I was surprised at the small number of interns who decided to go to out and see the news. 


I am a journalist. To me, that means going where the news is. Being a part of historical moments and communicating what happened. I have such unique opportunities here and must take advantage of them. Otherwise, why leave Utah and the BYU bubble?


I encourage everyone to reflect and remember 9/11 today and how it has changed us and our country. 


(This post is not a criticism nor intended to be a comment on other's weaknesses. It is an observation of the events which is followed by my definition or purpose of my career choice.)

The Royal Wedding: Don't you love online streaming?

New media allows us to watch news online where ever we are. Ex: The Royal Wedding.

The day has come. (The news will have to find another countdown now.)


Prince William married Kate Middleton this morning. I felt I could not not mention the royal wedding. Even in NYC, celebrations have been happening since 5 a.m. this morning.


Many of my friends and fellow interns went off to cover the wedding events for the Brooklyn Paper and the New York Daily News at 4:30 a.m. this morning. I was still in bed.


I HAD to watch the last of the procession when I woke up around 7 a.m. Unfortunately, I missed "the kiss" because I was on the subway. But thanks to online media, you don't need to watch things on the tv anymore. I just used my trusty macbook pro.


This is one technological advancement I love. love. love. Forget the hassle of tv commercials or even owning a tv. In NYC, where space is limited and money too, we can just use our computers and that is amazing. Just take a moment to think about that. Four or five years ago, we were just getting tv show episodes online and then they were barely able to play all the way through their 43 minutes of video without buffering every two minutes (today its just every 10).


While technology can be frustrating and often force you to wonder whether throwing your computer, etc out your 6th floor window might be easier, today remember what it does for you.


It helps me get my job done. It allows me to stay connected with family, friends and readers. It keeps me from getting lost on the subway system. And it helps me find restaurants when I'm on the go. I can watch all my tv shows weeks after they air. And I can watch news live.

Walking through the Rain: Day 4

(PICTURES of Central Park to be uploaded tonight)

Yesterday was pretty uneventful. I went to work. I typed up a calendar all day. Went for a donut run (Dunkin Donuts, of course) and got caught in the rain. and sat drying.

I finished my work a little early, and since the other interns wouldn't be home for several hours, i went and explored on my own.

I am beginning to feel like a natural and New Yorker. I put on my khaki raincoat and set our for Central Park. I got off at 72 St. and walked a couple blocks over to the park. How can anyone not love spring? (Yes, it rains and it gets muddy, though the city could use a good wash) But the flowers everywhere are so lovely! All colors of tulips fill the flowerbeds around the city. The same goes for Central Park. I almost felt like I was outdoors, out of the city. And then you hear the sirens and it brings you back. It was refreshing. If I lived closer, I would walk or sit in the park every day. I eventually made my way by Trump Tower and Columbia Circle. At this point I got a hankering for some dinner. (I don't really eat lunch here.)



Olympic Pita. Courtesy of Serious Eats.

I've been craving a real falafel since I left Jerusalem, so that's what I searched for. Luckily, I found a website that ranked the top 10 falafel sandwiches in the city! I didn't go to the top restaurant. I wasn't looking for anything fancy. So, I hopped down to 58 West 38th St to Olympic Pita.

It was one of the most authentic ones I have eaten since returning to the U.S. The falafel itself was a little dry (Which the review said) but they included fries! and the hot sauce gave it a similar spice to my favorite 7 shekel stand in Jerusalem. I also ordered some baklava, which was very tasty.

After getting my food to go, I headed back to 125 St and ran into Maria on the way home. Tiffany and I are hoping to plan some relaxing yet exciting things to do this weekend. I cannot wait to see what we end up doing.

Here are some activities I plan on checking off my list before I leave:

• Broadways: Wicked, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera
• Museums: Natural History, Guggenheim, Madame Tussaud's, Museum of Art, MoMA
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Ground Zero
• Concert/play in the Park
• Watch a movie in a park/barge
• Apollo Theater Amateur night
• Go to the NYC LDS temple
• Statue of Liberty
• Be on a subway when a random group performs

Gotta catch em all...the subway

REAR WINDOW: The view of the park and river from my room in NYC,  500 Riverside Dr.

Grand Central Station

Divine Comedy's Matt Meese and Jason perform their
popular Shoulder Angel skit at the People Improv's
Theatre Tuesday.

DAY 2


All the places Tiffany and I visited: 

• The Bronx via the 1 Train.
• Riverdale Press
• Target
• I-House
• Union Square
• Pizza Joint
• Flower stand
• Grand Central Station
• Meredith Corp
• Times Square (briefly)
• People's Improv Theatre (24th St)

One of my favorite parts of the day was being able to go support BYU's Divine Comedy group at the People's Improv Theatre while they were performing with the Harvard Sailing Team in NYC. While I had already seen all the skits they performed (and know them by heart. Yes, I am their No. 3 fan!), it was such a cool experience for some hilarious, clean comedy. And yes, I still love Matt Meese...

Tales of Working in the Bronx:First Day Jitters

The Riverdale Press is located off Broadway in the west side of the Bronx.

DAY 3: 


I have successfully made my way through NYC for three days now. I began my internship at the Riverdale Press this morning at a bright and early 11:45 a.m. They are a weekly paper, and it is printed on Wednesdays (hence the late arrivals). 


There is a small in-house staff of 15 people or less. Ther are ... drum roll ... four reporters. It amazes me. They crank out around four stories each week to fill the paper along with columns, briefs, etc. I think that's amazing. 


Luckily, they found a desk for me to work in. I am currently working on putting together next week's "What's up," which is essentially a calendar of local events. 


The Riverdale Press is a small, community newspaper. Yes, I know it seems odd that I would travel all the way to New York to work at a small paper when I have job opportunities at larger newspapers in Utah. BUT New York news is different. The police beat doesn't cover fake cougar sightings, water balloon attacks or other pranking. ( I love BYU's police beat, truly.) And while working at a huge, upscale national magazine would be awesome (and I would love to do that) this experience is just that: experience in the real world. 


I miss designing already. I can't wait to design for The Press.


Designing is my passion now. I hope I can perhaps do some things with my internship before I leave at the end of the term. 


Tonight I'm off to enjoy takeout with Maria and Institute at the Lincoln Center Building. 


And I continue to search for a fan...or air source of some sort. I need a hardware store. I'm open to suggestions.


CONTINUED...

The Shake Shack is a popular ice cream & burger joint.

Tonight I attended institute in the Lincoln Center Building which also houses the LDS temple in NYC. It was wonderful to be able to sit and discuss the scriptures after working all day. The teacher was enthusiastic and funny. I was so glad Maria encouraged me to go. I was able to get some other girls from the program to attend as well. Afterwards, we went out for dessert at the Shake Shack off 77th with Jim, a guy we met at institute.


A perfect ending to an odd day.

I am lost: Day 1

Day 1 proved to be more overwhelming than I could possibly have imagined. New York is huge. And the subways are an awful maze. I hope I can learn the system in the next couple weeks. Luckily, a longtime best friend, Maria Alexia, was able to guide me and Tiffany (my travel buddy in the same program) around the city with our enormous suitcases. While I really do need the contents of these suitcases, I do not think I will return with both. Perhaps I will just ... ship them. 

After arriving into JFK early, we sat on the tarmac for a good 30 minutes while the airport sought a way to get us to the actual terminal without being docked at a gate. Then we had to walk one terminal over to find our luggage. And maneuver the air train to the subway station. Holy moly. 


The I-House (Columbia's International House) off 125th Street is really lovely. I had heard that it could be dirty and not that great. But I have no idea what those people were talking about. Yes, my room is quite warm. (Why do they think they don't need air conditioning?) I'll post pictures later of the I-House and my quaint room.

As soon as we dropped off our bags at our new home, we hurried to the Harlem Church building for FHE. (Maria is a co-chair.) We passed the Apollo on the way to the building. I can't wait to go to an amateur night. Tiffany and I stopped at Sylvia's Soul Food for dinner since we both had only eaten breakfast (and it was 8 p.m.) 

Sylvia's is a popular restaurant in Harlem serving their famous chicken and waffles. It was delicious. Because we stopped for food, we missed most of fhe, but we did get the chance to meet several people in the ward. 

Well Toto, we're not in Utah anymore. New York couldn't be more different. I hope I will love it here. And the Bronx.